Over 700 athletes aged 35 through to 80+ years of age competed in the British Masters Track & Field Championships at the Moorways Sports Complex, Derby on 7/8 June 2003, in hot and humid conditions.
With competition in 5-year age groups and athletes entering on average 2.5 events each, the Organising Committee faced a major logistical problem. Up to three heats were necessary in some age-group sprints. The first British record fell shortly after 9.30 on 7th when Howard Moscrop from the South West VAC won a well judged 400m hurdles in 55.89sec from Ray Daniels, the European bronze medallist, in the M45 age group. Howard won the European M40 title in Potsdam last year.
Some outstanding performances included a clean sweep in the M50 100m (11.66), 200m (23.76) and 400m (52.99) by Viv Oliver from the Eastern VAC. Scottish competitors, John Steede and John Ross did likewise in the M60 and M65. Alan Meddings set a British record in the M75 age group 100m in 13.88 and a Meeting record in the 200m in 29.40sec. David Wilcock, Southern Counties VAC won the M45 800m in 2.01.01. A swirling stadium wind on 8th slowed the large fields in the 10000m and 14 men, including the ex-Welsh international, Bernie Jones, entered the M40 3000m steeplechase won by Keith Newton in 9.46.78.
In the field events current World and European gold medallist, Neil Griffin, Southern Counties VAC, set British records in the M55 shot with a putt of 14.00 and discus 48.46. Eric Barker got another British record in the M60 shot with 14.21m. The hammer competition was held outside the stadium, but the throwers were at least able to concentrate on a highly competitive event in a crowded programme. Russell Payne, Midlands VAC, won the M40 event, Mike Small, who has been showing such good form in the South recently, won the M45. John Little, Northern VAC was well clear with 45.83 in the M50, the ex GBR international, Chris Melluish, now aged 58, sent the hammer flying out to 45.96m and Bill Gentleman took the M60 title back to Scotland. The highlight of the women's event was Janet Smith's throw of 44.07m and Evaun William's British record of 37.61 in the W65 event.
The Weight Pentathlon attracts more and more competitors at all level as the field event exponents find it irresistible, several championship records were set. The jumpers chances of records were marred by the wind, but Sean Power, Welsh VAA, did reach out to 11.59 in the M60 triple jump, inside the legal wind limit. Ex-Olympian, Diana Davies, Midland VAC, now in the W40 category, won both the high and long jumps.
Mandy Laing, Northern VAC and Carole Filer collected several medals in the W40 and W45 events, whilst Averil McLelland W45, and Esther Linaker, W60, Scottish VAH set championship records in winning their 100m. Pat Gallagher, the only female athlete to have represented her country in indoor, on the track, cross country and on the road, defended her W55 800/1500m title with championships bests of 2.38.90 and 5.23.34 - phenomenal running for the 57 year mother of two daughters.